The New York Liberty opted to remain quiet at the WNBA trade deadline Sunday, a decision General Manager Jonathan Kolb framed as a calculated gamble on the team's health.
Kolb had explored potential roster upgrades in the weeks leading up to the deadline, including conversations about players like Aneesah Morrow, who was traded to the Toronto Tempo, and Kelsey Plum, who was ultimately acquired by the Phoenix Mercury. Speculation also suggested Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, who has recently seen reduced playing time, could be on the move.
However, no transactions materialized, leaving the Liberty with their current roster. This move signals a strong confidence from the team's brass in the existing players when operating at full strength.
Injuries have significantly impacted the Liberty's season, with the team playing only two full games with their core players available in the first 30 games. First-year coach Chris DeMarco has navigated a challenging rotation, utilizing 13 different starting lineups due to various adversities. Key players Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, and Satou Sabally have shared the court for just 55 minutes across six games, with Sabally currently in concussion protocol since a mid-June injury.
Despite these challenges, the Liberty have shown resilience. Following a difficult stretch in mid-July where they lost eight of 10 games, New York has since won four of five and secured a firm playoff position.
Stewart has been a standout performer, averaging a career-high 26.4 points per game in July and demonstrating strong three-level scoring ability. Ionescu, after missing the initial weeks of the season, has also found her rhythm, averaging 21.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists over the past 10 games. Jonquel Jones has been crucial when engaged on both ends of the court. The bench has also contributed, with Leonie Fiebich nearing a return from a foot injury, which is expected to provide a boost. The timeline for Satou Sabally's return remains less certain.
The Liberty's leadership is banking on their roster's potential when healthy, with the ultimate test coming in the postseason to see if Kolb's bet on their team's well-being will pay off.